World Youth and Teenage Music Competition

Entry Requirements for the World Youth and Teenage Music Competition (Online Submission & Jury Evaluation)

1. Fundamental Creative Skills

Focusing on technical foundations and musical structure:

Technical skills: Instrument coordination, control of performance materials, precision of execution, and genre-specific techniques (e.g., piano arpeggios, violin vibrato, vocal breath control, electronic music arrangement and mixing).

Subject matter knowledge: Familiarity with music competition types (solo, ensemble, composition, singing) and classic works/styles (e.g., Bach's classical sonatas, interpretations of the folk ballad "Jasmine Flower," rhythmic arrangements of pop music, and the traditional instrumental piece "Ambush from Ten Sides").

Musical literacy: Understanding of music-specific knowledge (e.g., application of harmony theory, musical form planning), creative forms (e.g., single-movement solo, multi-part ensemble, songwriting), and stylistic awareness (e.g., matching performance techniques to the intended musical genre, e.g., emotional tension in classical music, rhythmic interpretations of folk music, and rhythmic presentation in pop music).

1. Artistic Expression & Cultural Context

Exploring thematic interpretation and historical depth:

Category Analysis: The origins and stylistic characteristics of musical forms (e.g., the Baroque origins of the classical sonata, the regional cultural characteristics of folk music, the modern evolution of pop music, and the national artistic attributes of traditional instrumental music).

Work Interpretation: Emotional narratives are conveyed through musical elements (e.g., the melancholic atmosphere of the piano piece "Moonlight" and the refreshing mood of the folk song "Orchid Grass"), while also connecting musical cultural/historical contexts (e.g., recreating the historical context of classical music, incorporating traditional customs into folk music, and reflecting on social issues in modern creation).

Modern Adaptations: The fusion of traditional and modern elements (e.g., presenting classic classical music excerpts through electronic arrangements, combining folk instrumental music with popular rhythms).

1. Practical Creation Application

Emphasize original execution and creative ability:

Submission Format:

High-quality digital audio files of original musical works (performances or compositions) (no AI-generated content; only basic sound quality editing, such as noise removal and volume balancing, is permitted; excessive post-production retouching or splicing is prohibited). The audio must fully capture the work's details, such as instrumental timbre, pitch stability, and rhythmic integrity. For ensemble or creative works, sheet music (if available) or arrangement instructions must be included to assist in understanding the musical structure.

Materials: Use specialized instruments appropriate to the musical category (e.g., piano, violin, microphone, synthesizer, recording equipment). Submission must include a brief description of the materials (e.g., "Piano Solo: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations," "Composition: Ode to Youth (Guitar and Vocals)," "Electronic Music Arrangement: City Rhythm").

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Work Selection:

Children’s Group (8–12 yrs): Small works (e.g., short solo pieces, simple chorus pieces, children's song creations), including performances of classic children's music (e.g., "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Ode to Joy"), etudes for basic instruments (e.g., elementary piano etudes, introductory violin pieces), and simple original children's songs (including lyrics and composition or instrumental arrangements).

Adolescent Group (13–18 yrs): Complex works (e.g., full-length solo pieces, polyphonic ensembles, series of compositions), including in-depth interpretations of classic music (e.g., the first movement of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and arrangements of the traditional instrumental music "Erquan Yingyue"), thematic compositions (e.g., the "Sounds of Nature" and "Cultural Fusion" series), mixed instrumental arrangements (e.g., the fusion of Chinese and Western instruments, "Rhythms of the Silk Road"), and conceptual music (e.g., exploring environmental or youth issues through music). 

Improvisation Tasks: Adolescent Group is required to complete a 30-minute rapid performance or composition based on a designated musical theme (e.g., "Sunshine and Hope," "The Collision of Tradition and Modernity") or a designated musical style (e.g., "Jazz Improvisation," "Composition of Traditional Instrumental Melodies").

1. Judging Criteria & Format

Evaluation Areas:

Technical Ability (50%): Precision of playing technique, control of instrument/equipment, and execution of genre-specific techniques (e.g., pitch stability, rhythmic accuracy, breath/fingering fluidity, and balanced arrangement and mixing).

Artistic Expression (30%): Depth of emotion, originality of conception, and thematic consistency (e.g., how effectively the work conveys emotion or theme, and how well the creative concept fits within the genre).

Aural Impact (20%): Balance of musical structure, creativity of presentation, and audience appeal (e.g., appealing melodic lines, rich harmonies, and overall musical atmosphere).

Submission Rules:

One entry per participant; no copied or plagiarized works (including direct reproductions of existing work).

Blind judging: Judges receive anonymized submissions with no participant identifiers.

1. Difficulty & Age Groups

Children’s Group: Emphasizes foundational skills (such as basic pitch and rhythm, and grasp of simple musical form) and imaginative expression (such as conveying simple emotions through performance and creating playful musical stories).

Adolescent Group: Advanced requirements include thematic complexity (such as exploring cultural identity and social issues through music), cross-technical experimentation (such as combining mixed instrumentation with electronic arrangements), and conceptual depth (such as using musical notation to convey abstract concepts like "dreams and perseverance").

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1. Submission & Results

Deadline: Upload digital submissions via the portal by [e.g., "May 31, 2026"].

Results: Announcement: Entries will be notified via email/social media within two weeks, ranked by judging scores. Prizes include a certificate, a musical instrument set, a scholarship for a music workshop, and an opportunity for an online music performance.

Exhibition: Outstanding works will be showcased in the online concert hall on the competition's official platform, showcasing the diverse cultural and artistic expressions of music by children and youth worldwide.

This framework balances technical proficiency and creative storytelling, celebrating the diversity of music produced by children and youth worldwide while promoting technical advancement and cross-cultural exchange.